VOA慢速英语:You Can Use the Simple Past Tense to Make Polite Offers

短语讲解：

1. The simple past tense is used for actions or situations that happened in the past.

be used for 用来做…
例句：It can be used for devising systems to protect against frost damage.
它可用来设计防止霜害的方法。

2. For example, in conversation, Americans often use the simple past tense of the verbs want or need even though they are asking a question about the present.

even though 哪怕; 即使，纵然
例句：Even though he tried, he still lagged behind other runners.
尽管他努力了，仍落在其他赛跑者之后。

3. So, why did the server use the simple past tense instead of the present tense?

instead of （用…） 代替…， （是…）而不是…
例句：The farmers will be paid for their grain in cash, instead of IOUs.
农民卖粮，将以现金支付，而不是白条了。

4. In general, Americans do not use the simple past in this way when they are asking for information or using other verbs, such as like, love, prefer, and so on.

ask for 请求…; 要求…
例句：He went to the office to ask for leave.
他到办公室去请假。

5. You might be able to ask polite questions, or understand what Americans mean when they ask you a question.

be able to 能够; 能，会
例句：We must be able to stay impartial at all times.
我们必须经常保持公正的态度。